HIGHLIGHTS
- Feast
your eyes on whales, polar bears, birds and other exotic wildlife
- Enjoy
24-hour daylight in the midnight sun
- Make
use of the excellent conditions for outdoor photography and activities
- Participate
in a Workshop on Sounds of whales and seals
- Learn
to analyze marine mammal sounds
- Learn
from the dedicated expedition guide about bird species and how to
identify and photograph them
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
Rates are listed per person
ITINERARY
Workshop:
Sounds of whales and seals
In
this engaging audio workshop, we will provide you the theoretical
background of various acoustic tools that we will help you use to
locate and interpret the songs of whales and seals. This fun and
informative workshop covers both the theory and practice of analyzing
marine mammal sounds, requiring you to bring no additional equipment.
Birding:
-
We
will have at least one dedicated expedition guide in our team who will
share their expert knowledge about bird species and who will be
available to help you identify, photograph on deck and learn more about
the birds that we see. In addition to outdoor sessions, our guide will
focus on species and related information on the birds of the Arctic in
re-caps and lectures onboard.
Day
1: Largest town, biggest island
You
touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around
this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make
for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more
than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early
evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first
minke whale of your voyage.
Day
2: Walrusses, seals & sea birds
After
an exciting sailing through straits and fjord we arrive late morning at
Smeerenburg, where a large group of Walrusses often lays at its
haul-out place. It is also a rare opportunity to see Harbour Seals on
rocky islets. Smeerenburg was an important whaling station in the 17th
century. Later on the day we land at Fuglesangen, where we have a great
opportunity to sit among hundreds of nearby Little Auks. In the evening
we make a short landing in Birgerbukta, where the Basq whalers had
their station, and continue into the splendid Raudfjord.
Day
3: Route to Raudfjorden
Raudfjord,
with glacier fronts, is a good area for meeting Polar Bears and Bearded
Seals on fjord ice, which is still unbroken. In Hamiltonbukta is an
impressive colony of Brünnichs’s Guiillemots. Later
we visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for
many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. There we can still
follow their tracks to the summit of the island. On shore the remains
of 17th century blubber ovens can be found near about 200 graves. The
north side of the island offers the rare opportunity to see Puffins
near their breeding places. There is also a small colony of Kittiwakes.
From there we sail northwest to the edge of the pack-ice.
Day
4 - 6: Along the ice edge in search of Bowhead Whales, Seals &
Polar Bears
At
sea sailing from 80 N to 76 N along and in the outer fringes of the ice
edge looking for Bowhead Whales, Harp Seals, Hooded Seals, Polar Bears
and migrating seabirds like Little Auks, Brünnich’s
Guillemots, and Kittiwakes. On previous voyages in this area we have
sometimes seen up to hundred Bowhead Whales. On the last day, at open
sea we have good chances for Northern Bottlenose Whales and the first
Fin Whales of the season.
Day
7: Bell Sund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history
Bellsund
is a fjord system with two major branches (Van Mijenfjord, Van
Keulenfjord) and a side bay (Recherchefjord). The geology is
fascinating and has created amazing landscapes, such as the long,
narrow island of Akseløya that blocks Van Mijenfjord almost
completely. The rich wildlife of the area has attracted hunters
throughout several centuries, including English whalers, who also
wintered there. - we will walk in their footsteps and see remains of
their huts. We see often Polar Bears and we have also seen Beluga
(white whales) in this area. Much is depending on the fjord
–ice how far we can sail into these fjords.
Day
8: There and back again
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You
disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you
wherever your next adventure lies.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Transfers
and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for
those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
ADVENTURE OPTIONS - Discovery and Learning Workshops
- Acoustics Workshop
- Birding
- Zodiac Cruising & Shore Program
- Sailing under the midnight sun & along the ice edge
